Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-07-08
ssfashin9tun Standard
THEHousEo ON THE MARSH;
! THE MYSTERY OF THE ALDERS.
CHAPTER v.
NJ YLoRxncR wARDH.

CHAPTER v.
The next day was Sunday, to which
had begun to look forward eagerly,
as break in the monotonous round OF
days. After service | heard Mr.. Raw
ner telling the doctor and two of the
farmers about the races he had been to
the week before, and Of his having won
fifteen pounds. He asked Mrs Reade
whether her husband was ill-as he was
not at church-and did not seem at all
affected by the cool manner in which
she answered him.
Il had the pleasure of lunching with
q relative of yours. Mrs. Reade, on the
course at Newmarket last wexford
Bramley, He is cousin Of yours is
Hardly cousin, but he is connected
with my family, Mr. Rayner," she an
swered, more graciOusly.
He thinks more of the connection
than you seem to do, for he asked me
particularly how you were. l told him
you never looked better than when /
saw you last"
And Mrs. Reade was still talking to
Mrs. Rayner, with more affability in
her haughtiness. when Haidee and l
started on our walk home.
At dinner Mr.. Rayner gave us part
of their conversation, with an excellent
parody Of the lady's manner and q
funny exaggeratiOn of the humility of
his own.
On that afternoon was scarcely out
side the gate on my way to church
when he joined me.
mo, no, Miss Christie; we are not
going to trust you to 60 to church by
yourself again"
When we passed the park, saw Mr..
Laurence Reade, dressed for church,
finishing . cigar, with his back against
q tree. l had never seen him look
cross before, and 1 thought it q pity
that he should spoil his nice kind face
by such . frown; and wondered
whether he was ill-tempered, and, if
not, what had annoyed him.
After seeing Mr.. Reade dressed for
church naturally expected him to
come, and had an absurd feeling like
disappointment as the service began
and he did not appear. l caught my
self looking up whenever the door
creaked and late worshiper came in.
But he did not come.
The heat, and my annoyance over
this absurd trifle, distracted my atten-
ton so l hardly heard q word of the
sermon. Presently noticed that Mr..
Rayner, who always looked more de-
vout than any one in the church, was
really asleep all the time. When he
vtvoA xyol1snnp hNvnn
after the service, that the sermon was
good of its kind, I had to turn my
head away that he might not see me
smiling. But was not quick enough.
II didn't say what kind, Miss
Christie. l may have meant it was
good as lullaby. Are you shocked?"
20, no, Mr.. Rayner!''
And how did you like the SER
mona"
"I-I wasn't listening much, Mr..
Rayner."
Not listening! A religious little
girl like you not listening! I'm sur
prised-I really am"
His manner grew suddenly so grave,
and he really seemed SO much sur
prised, that I felt called upon to make
sort Of profession.
I'm not really religious" 1 said,
hurriedly. but do respect religi-
GUS people very much, and 7 hope
some day shall be able to enter into
their feelings better than / can now.
I do pray for it." ended, almost in a
whisper.
Mr.. Rayner took my hand very
ut will come, child, it will come"
he said, gravely and quite paternally.
''Go on quietly doing your duty as you
do, and the blessing will come in due
time"
He said it SO simply, without any
attempt at preaching, that l felt ]
looked up to him more naturally than
even to clergyman. And when, after
tea, he asked me to accompany his vio-
lin on the piano while he played Mo-
zart's Twelfth Mass, the fervor which
he put into the beautiful music in
spired me with q corresponding exalta-
ton Of feeling, such IS no sacred music
had ever woke in me before. At the
end Of the evening Mr.. Rayner held
cut his hand with grave smile.
"Y0u are the best accompanist 1hava
ever met; you catch the spirit Of thia
sacred music perfectly. Tomorrow
night I shall prove whether you are &c
accomplished reader of secular mu.
tic. Goodnight, my dear child"
And he bent down to kiss me. Blu,
lie vaded him, trying at the same time
to make my movement seem uncon
scious; and, with . smiling Good
night" I left the room.
As soon q had done 30 my hear,
sunk within me. What had l donel
Probably offended Mr.. Rayner beyont
recall by what must seem to him al
absurdly strained piece Of prudery. /
looked Is If thought myself person
of such attraction that he wanted Il
kiss me- to please himself, instead o.
IN magnificent little girl whom he wa
going to kiss good-naturedly, Is h
might have done If he had been her IA
ther. But then he was not my father
and not nearly old enough TO be 30
however paternal and kind his name
might be. So comforted myself as vel
- / could with the thought that, aftel
al, I had done only what was RICH
and prudent; and. il he was offended
W0As seAOAo " - A0AR Ava ~
The next morning, to my great re
Lief, his manner was Just the same .
usual. I wondered whether shoul'
be summoned to the drawing-room
accompany him on the violin, q he ha'
spoken on the previous night Of wish
ing me to do. But ct tea he was mucl
preoccupied. and told Sarah that . gen
tleman would be coming to see hin
presently, who was to be shown int
the study.
As he turned to say this, I noticed
sudden fash of horror pass over Mr.
Raynsr's pale features, and disappea
in moment before her husband coul
&c her face again; and I thought / say
on Sarah's dark face look Of intelll
gence when the order was given he1
- if she too knew something about tn
expected visitor. tried not to thin
any more about it. Twas very anxiou
to improve myself, 80 I might be abb
to take an engagement - finishin
governess. had q chapter to read i
Guizot's French History; but that wa
pleasant, easy work, and might be en-
5oyed in the garden. 1 had seen tn
stranger As was crossing the hall afte
tea. He was q small. sli0ht man. wit